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Successful Star R01 to R01Investigators Panel

2.
My Research Career: Part 1
• Chose to work in molecular coagulation
research lab
– Selected based on scientific environment
– Reputation of PI for training physician
scientists
– Available project
• Successful early grants:
– Individual NRSA
– VA Career Development Award
– K08 from NHLBI

3.
After 4 years…
• Several high profile publications
• Getting good job offers in hematology
but…
• My clinical interests were focused in
care of cancer patients not general
hematology
• Having difficult time balancing
clinical/research interests as well as
work/life balance

4.
My Research Career: Part 2
• I had strong training in molecular genetics
• Selected a cancer which had evidence for
inherited predisposition
• Established a research program focused
on molecular basis for inherited prostate
cancer susceptibility
• Terminated my K08 from NHLBI

6.
Some thoughts about transitioning to
becoming an independent investigator
• Study something you are passionate
about…
• Do your homework about your scientific
topic
– Go to national meetings to understand the
current state of research in your field
– Use NIH tools and resources to see what
grants are funded in your area or related
areas

7.
Planning your first R01
• Draft your ideal Specific Aims well before
you actually write your grant
• Outline the required preliminary data and
work toward this while drafting the grant
• A conservative strategy may be a safer
strategy for a young investigator
• Enlist some key mentors/advisors to help
you along the way

8.
The final draft
• Get this done WELL BEFORE the due
date and out to advisors with enough time
for review/comments
• Address key criticisms in your grant
– Experimentally
– In problems and pitfalls section
• Consider letters of collaboration
– Internal letters show you have local support
– External letters
• Validate significance of your research
• Demonstrates that you know your field

9.
The final draft (continued)
• PRESENTAION IS IMPORTANT
• Use figures and diagrams in strategic
fashion
• Be sure final draft is easy to read and
visually-appealing
• PROOF READ CAREFULLY!

11.
Final thoughts
• Step back and look at your application
objectively
– Is your hypothesis important?
– What will be accomplished if you get the
grant?
– How will your research lead to progress in
your field?
• Prepare for the long haul
– Most grants are not funded the first time
– Starting generating additional data to support
your proposal if it is not funded right away
– Consider other agencies, foundations, etc.